AIP Seeks All-Party Meet on Jailed Jammu Kashmir MLA, Raises Citizenship, Employee Rights, Power Project Issues | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Senior Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) leader and MLA Langate, Sheikh Khurshid, along with party chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi, on Sunday outlined a series of political and humanitarian initiatives undertaken by the party both inside and outside the Assembly.

Addressing a press conference, Khurshid said he had written to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on January 24, urging him to convene an all-parties meeting to discuss the participation of incarcerated Doda MLA Mehraj Malik in the upcoming Assembly session.

He said the proposed meeting would deliberate on passing a resolution requesting the Lieutenant Governor to facilitate Malik’s presence in the House so that he can represent his constituency.

The Langate legislator also condemned recent attacks on Kashmiris living and working in different parts of the country. Questioning what he termed the silence of the Lieutenant Governor on the issue, Khurshid urged him to intervene and take up the matter with Governors, Chief Ministers, the Union Home Secretary and the Union Home Minister to ensure the safety and protection of Kashmiris across India.

On the legislative front, Khurshid said he has moved a resolution seeking citizenship and legal status for women and children who returned from Pakistan and settled in Jammu and Kashmir under the Government’s Rehabilitation Policy.

He said that despite living in the Union Territory for years, many such families continue to lack citizenship or formal legal recognition, resulting in denial of basic rights including education, healthcare, employment and identity documents. The resolution calls upon both the J&K Government and the Government of India to grant citizenship or appropriate legal status, issue domicile and identity documents, and ensure dignity, security and constitutional safeguards to the affected individuals.

Another resolution introduced by him addresses the termination of government employees without show-cause notices or an opportunity to be heard. Terming the practice a violation of principles of natural justice, Khurshid said there should be a transparent and fair mechanism to allow employees to defend themselves. The resolution also seeks reinstatement of those found innocent after proper legal and administrative review.

Khurshid further said he has moved a resolution demanding the return and transfer of all power projects to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. According to him, such a step would help ensure cheaper electricity, strengthen infrastructure, enhance revenue generation and provide relief to consumers in the Union Territory.

In addition, the MLA informed that a Bill has been introduced to encourage participation of local youth in gravel and other minor mineral mining activities. The proposed legislation aims to create a statutory framework for outsourcing mining operations to locals, to protect local interests and generate employment.